In this unit, prepare an eight-question survey related to the research question that you developed in Unit I. While developing your survey, consider the following information: You must indicate whethe

Running head: RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS 0

RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Christopher Valiante

Columbia Southern University

09/24/2019

Research questions

Every research begins with a fundamental issue for which the researcher needs an answer. Research questions, therefore, refer to the specific answerable problems in a scientific inquiry. Research questions generally answer to the specific investigation that a researcher would wish to explore and explain. For research is a journey from unknown to known, research questions seek typically to define the overall objective and purpose of the inquiry. Analytical and critical issues must be developed at the outset of the research process. Once a researcher establishes the main problem they seek to address, the next step often involves framing the problem into a question to facilitate the choice of research method. Research questions need to be specific, clear, ethical, and feasible and relevant to the particular discourse.

Ethical consideration

The rise of ethical principles in scientific inquiry has modern roots in the happenings of the 19th century. Of special importance is the Tuskegee syphilis study, which led to a realization that there was a need for research endeavors to be guided by a set of moral principles. The report exposed the underbelly of harm and potential death that may happen to participants as a result of unethical research practices. In the study, African America participants were allowed to go without medicinal treatment to study what happens as a result of infection with syphilis. The participants had been recruited unwillingly or without consent, and most of them died of syphilis complication (Wong, 2018). Ethical consideration underlines what is acceptable or non-acceptable conduct while engaging in research. In scientific research, ethical considerations are needed regarding the treatment of the subject and their protection from harm. The specific concerns touch on privacy, consent, confidentiality, and anonymity.

Research subjects must willfully consent to participate in the research. A considerable degree of deception is allowed, but in most cases, deception such as what took place in the Migraine study of obedience is unacceptable. Privacy touches on the exact timing, context, and occurrence of the study. Participants need to be protected from emotional and physical harm that may result from engaging in research. Anonymity refers to the need to protect the identity of the participants. Finally, there is a need to ensure confidentiality, especially on data that is collected from the research process. Confidentiality implies that the data should only be used for the research process. All research that recruits human subjects, including protected individuals, must also be approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the researcher must fill IRB forms before recruiting participants and get approval. The approval is necessary because IRB primary purpose is to protect the rights and welfare of research participants, especially in studies conducted under its authority.

Research questions and hypothesis

Question: Is the location of a college related to graduation rate in public administration and social services profession?

H0: The null hypothesis for the study is that there is no relationship between college location and graduation rate.

H1: There is a significant statistical relationship between the location of a college and the graduation rate.

Question: Is there any significant statistical relationship between the cost of a college program and the graduation rate?

H0: There is no relationship between cost of a college program and the graduation rate

H1: There is a significant statistical relationship between the cost of a college program and the graduation rate.                                            

Reference

Wong, K. X. (2018). The Pivotal Role that Race Plays in Medical Research: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study.